If you’ve ever accidentally set batch files to open in a text editor, and now are unable to run them anymore you have to use the registry editor instead of the Control Panel file associations. As pointed out in this article…

Click on “Start”->”Run” and type in “REGEDT32” and press Enter to start the Registry Editor.

Find the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.BAT\UserChoice

In the life of a Java developer every now and then you’ll have one of your apps run out of memory. While this is usually due to poor coding (not closing resources, or managing large files) it helps to know exactly what the defaults are for your system. I had just this need today so went out looking for an answer.

What I found that was the most helpful was this page, but for quick reference here’s how to do it on Windows…

If you’ve been coding for any time, chances are you’ve become acquainted with the command line. While some love it and some hate it I think it’s wonderful for getting things done quickly. Unfortunately, the windows command line is crap. With that said I finally got fed up and asked that most important programmer question of “How do I get a better command line”?

That search led me to an open source application called appropriately enough: Console. When I first opened it up and started playing around I have to admit my first reaction was “meh”. Then I asked that import question again, “How can this be made better”? A little Googling and experimentation later I got things working to my satisfaction.

So, here for your one-stop quick-reference is how to setup the ultimate console for Windows…

Assumptions

You access the console for all different platforms (not just Windows)

You already have putty and its utilities downloaded – and are familiar with their use

Download ANSICON and extract the following files to the same directory you extracted Console to.

ANSI32.dll

ANSI64.dll

ansicon.exe

Great, now you have Console installed, but this is the configuration I use to make it really rock.

Configuration

These can all be found under “Edit -> Settings”

Appearance

Custom color: Change it to an awsome green

Appearance -> More…

Uncheck “Show toolbar”

Select “Alpha” under “Window transparency” and set “Active window” to 25 and “Inactive window” to 40

Behavior

Check “Copy on select”

Uncheck “Clear selection on copy”

Hotkeys

Set “New Tab 1” to “Ctrl+T”

Set “Copy selection” to “Ctrl+C”

Set “Paste” to “Ctrl+V”

Hotkeys -> Mouse

Set “Copy/clear selection” to “None”

Set “Select text” to “Left”

Set “Paste text” to “Right”

Set “Context menu” to “Middle”

Tab Configuration

Now that you have your console looking pretty and being functional, lets hook it into putty and cygwin. You can do this configuration under “Edit -> Settings -> Tabs”. Obviously, the directories you’ve chosen for things will be different (change to your values).